End-of-the-year "adventures" in a 19-year-old TJ

[pbeach]

To be filed in the folder titled: "Duuuude, it's 19 years old... you've been fortunate." — alternate title: "There's only so much preventative maintenance a man can do. "

(turned 100,000 on 30sept24)

Heading into 2025 with a new timing belt, water pump, pulleys, radiator fan and a depleted bank account. (why is it spending $12 for a new phone cover is a debated spend but dropping $1.6k+ on the TJ 6 days before Christmas is an oddly-happy, millisecond decision?)

Here's to a smooth, productive, happy, healthy (you AND the TJ) new year to the TJ Forum Faithful.

 

[Link]

Did the water pump leak onto the timing belt causing it to slip and strip the belt lugs?

 

[pbeach]

Did the water pump leak onto the timing belt causing it to slip and strip the belt lugs?

Unsure.... doubtful. When I tested the water pump, it was fine. Always best to change out the water pump (and pulleys) in this case anyway.

Wear and tear on a 19-year-old vehicle that's spent it's life in Surface-of-the-Sun Land South Florida? (I turned 100k in September)

Pully bearings? ... minor wear, all things considered. Tensioner?

No indication it was failing — one minute I'm driving, the next, full shutdown.

I'm usually an investigative nut — in this case, I'm chalking it up to wear.